German Car Zone

1st FEP stage has already started - mind the original light clusters featured on the prototypes. That usually indicates the 1st stage.

Next stage (2nd) is the heavy camo removal.

And the latest stage of FEP is after announcement - cars with only slight camo (few tapes on body, or only badges taped).



So, the 1st stage is easy to forecast - since there is usually a deadline for FEP beginning. So is the 3rd stage - coming very soon after first press release.

The 2nd phase is usually problematic - since there are no deadlines no other co-actions (eg. press release) to indicate the beginning of such a phase.

Since sometimes they start with 2nd phase directly ...

Also - now with usage of that psychedelic tape it's very difficult to distinguish between FEP & pre-FEP cars. Since the tape is used in pre-FEP stages as well - over the heavy camo (eg. check 6er, X3, 1er spy pics).

As said: the best indication of FEP start are prototypes with original light clusters (rear & front) - not eg. that rear round LED testing clusters as usually seen on initial prototypes.


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I was told that X3 would be "exposed" very soon after X1 press release announcement . So, expect X3 FEP II prototypes to hit the streets in the next days.

Regarding 5er sedan & 6er ... Mid-sommer & early fall, I was told. First pre-FEP 3er GT prototypes will hit the streets near the end of the year. Yet the latest BMW CEO indicates that can happen even sooner.

Also: expect Mini Spyder prototypes, soon. And much more exposed x-over ahead of IAA.

Maybe so, but not nearly like Audi. BMW is going back to the normal way, where all cars are distictive, but clearly based on the same design ideas...

I lol'd Artist. Only the X3 is ugly, and everything new from the F01 on will simply be stunning, just like the whole 3er line-up, X5, X6, Z4, 1er line.... The only cars looking moderately old, are the 5er and 6er imo. FL 6er or 5er M pack is still hotttt though

Yes but I never mentioned anything about Merc cos i agree with you about Merc. There are 1 or 2 models with great resemblence tho (ML class, GL class), but certainly Audi is the worst offender. So its not such a bad thing to be in the middle. By the way Scott Eni the ML class prototype is doing its rounds testing so BM should be busy with the next X5.

Yes there are certain similarities, use of design cues etc. but when I read that sausage simile, I can only think of Audi and to that state BMW has a long way...

We will knoe how similar are the new BMWs when the F10 is revealed. The front lights seem to be very similar to the ones on the 7er, the kidneys are different, and we still don´t know about the rear lights.

EnI and Scott told us months ago than the rear lights would be an evolution of the current car ones, slimmer and don´t wrapping into the side profile that much, but when I see the spy pics I can only think the we will see the same big L-Shape than on the F01, and that the EnI and Scott description was only for the exterior part of them, and that that description is also valid for the exterior part of the F01 rearlights.

I wonder what car will break out a new design lingo for Audi and BMW..
What will be there next E65 7er...
??

^ i believe it was the F01 again but the X6 came before for a smoother transition .. thank god it didn't have those pig noses ... I'd love BMW to return the grill attachement to the hood. Thats the only way to go.

^ nah all of those evolve from the E65..
Im talking about a REAL transistion like the E65 was...
But you cant really complain on BMW..their revolutionary design change is still pretty young..
so they can do this until maybe the next 7er..

But audi on the other hand..
Please come up with something new.. ( my hopes are high for the new A8)

Honestly, after have seen the leaked pics of the A8 D4 from Autobild I can´t stand how you can have high hopes for it.

^lol.. im looking the other way on that.. and hoping its not true..
just like the new arnage